Generous community donates more than 500 coats to GibsonSingleton Fall Coat Drive

GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys gave the coats to women through the Laurel Shelter, to homeless individuals through the Gloucester United for Emergency Shelter Team (GUEST), and to veterans through the Hampton Veterans Administration Medical Center. The Salvation Army also distributed several hundred to people in need, including local school children.

“All recipients were appreciative, notably those at the Hampton VA,” said partner John Singleton. “You would have thought we gave them gold.”

Jessica Walker, domestic violence program coordinator for the Laurel Shelter, said: “We are thankful for these coats from GibsonSingleton donors. These coats will help women in our “Dress for Success” program have something warm and nice to wear for job interviews and jobs. Your donors will never know what a difference they have made in others’ lives by giving them a coat.”

Everyone who donated a coat received an emergency phone charger from GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, and Kim Colarik, Suellen Hooper, and David Spangler won Ballast Band CDs in law firm prize drawings. The firm’s grand prize winner was Barbara Stevens, who won a GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys roadside safety kit.

“It’s heartwarming to see how our community cares for our neighbors, especially children, homeless, and veterans in need,” said partner Ken Gibson.

Examples of the many acts of generosity included a Riverside Medical business office in Grafton collected more than 75 coats, which Robin Peterson delivered; The Silver Box store on Gloucester’s Main Street collected a large bag of coats; and Brian Kirschbaum of The Village Cleaners, cleaned used coats for free.

GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys set a goal of collecting at least 500 coats this year after collecting 450 last year. Singleton said, “Once again, the generous people in this area came through and gave more.”

Gibson concluded, “As we celebrate 2017, we are so grateful to have neighbors who give when there’s a need. Our firm believes in giving back, and this coat drive is one way we try to do that.”

More info: Anyone still wanting to donate a coat may give directly to the Salvation Army, Gloucester Center, 7057 Linda Circle in Hayes, across from Franktronics. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the phone is (804) 642-3960.

PHOTO 1: John Singleton and Ken Gibson donate coats to Jessica Walker for women at the Laurel Shelter from GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys’ Coat Drive. The Laurel Shelter’s “Dress for Success” program helps women prepare for job interviews and jobs. GibsonSingleton collected more than 500 coats from generous donors throughout our community.

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.